Rare and selected Islands Single Malt Scotch Whisky

This region consists of the six islands or island groups Orkney, Skye, Mull, Jura, Arran and Lewis. The islands Orkney and Skye and somewhat protected islands Mull, Arran and Jura spread to mainland Scotland around, produce excellent single malt whiskys and have no uniform character. Only the slight salty taste due to the sea air is the island whiskys in common.
The Orkney Islands with 70 smaller islands are in the far north of Scotland and is the only part of Scotland with continuous 500 years of autonomy. There, the most northerly whisky outpost of the world can be found and two distilleries compete to be the most northerly distillery Highland Park and Scapa. With about 300 meters north, this applies to Highland Park. In Blindtastings Whisky of Highland Park is often considered with top ratings and described as very balanced. Whiskys of Orkney are popular equally among lovers of Speyside whiskys as where the Islay whiskys, as both a slight sweetness and peatiness exists. The Distillery Scapa was opened in 1885 and uses two stills, one is dated 1978, the other corresponds to the Lomond type, which allows the production of different types of whiskys and represents a rare specimen. It has a short, squat lid instead of the elongated conical cover, which are commonly used in Scotland.
The Isle of Skye is home with Talisker only one distillery and produces a strong, aromatic whisky with light smoke and strong spices and pepper. Talisker was built in 1831 and named after the Talisker House, which has traditionally been the seat of the eldest son of Macleod clan. There are five stills at Talisker, two large for the first distillates and three smaller for the finals. Their precise size and shape - the angle of the position of the goosenecks - are crucial for the production process of whisky with the characteristic taste of Talisker.
The island lies between Jura Islay and mainland Scotland, is only 367 square kilometers and is home to only 180 inhabitants. The village Craighouse on the east coast is home to the Distillery, the only island hotel, a small shop and the one Church. The distillery of Isle of Jura is the largest employer on the island and produced a number of excellent whiskys.
Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides. The island s capital, Tobermory is home to the eponymous distillery. Besides Springbank Tobermory also produces several brands of whisky. Ledaig is smoky, most comparable to the peat-smoky whiskys of Islay. Ledaig bears the distinct signature of manzanilla wine barrels. Bright and fresh with a wonderful saltiness. Tobermory itself is a not peated malt, delicate and fruity, with occasional slight honey flavor.
The Isle of Arran has a long tradition in the firing. In addition to the many illegal distilleries of the island there were three authorized distilleries, the last closed in 1835. After 150 years, however, was reborn the local whisky industry. In the Lochranza Arran Distillery opened in 1995. Arran whisky is dry and light, with hints of vanilla and fruits. A golden nectar that comes ungetorft - unusual for a island whisky.
The only distillery on the Outer Hebrides is Abhainn Dearg (Scottish Gaelic for Red River) and is located near Carnish on the island of Lewis. The very young distillery presented its first Whisky in October 2011.